LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

While the loss of these three lives in Kaufman County can never be justified, one has to ask WHY? Each is tied to the justice system, therefore one would assume someone believes they have been unjustly treated. Sadly, these could be just more lives lost to the failure known as the War on Drugs!

There are hundreds of lives lost every year to this war. Many are innocent citizens – from the elderly to women, children and infants. Where is the anger and demand for justice for the maiming and wrongful death of these citizens? I invite everyone who believes in “justice for all” to google drugwarvictims and see the sad truth. Then ask yourself how much would you take, and what would you do? Don’t say it couldn’t happen to you because many of these victims are innocent!

Every day across this country, citizens are being victimized and violated in their homes while their loved ones are being terrorized and traumatized with flash bangs and automatic weapons, often with their pets being killed. This failed war is creating an ever-growing group of second class citizens and overloading our justice system – jails, courts and prison – with an overwhelming number of supposed criminals that have no victims or violence in their supposed crimes!

These “second class” citizens are having their families destroyed while being robbed of their property, money, freedom and rights. Their families are forced to spend the rent and food money their families need on bondsmen, lawyers, court, probation and fines. Stripped of any chance at meaningful employment, they turn to the “dark side” to make a meaningful living. This, in turn, just keeps this never-ending cycle going.

Sadly, due to having no way to pay for the justice we are all promised, they are forced to accept unfair plea agreements or be threatened with maximum sentences for demanding their day in court. What kind of anger and feelings of justified retaliation do you think these wrongful actions create?

Our jails and prisons have been manipulated into “people ranching” for profit, going to the highest bidders. Under the guise of this failed policy some supposed public servants believe they have the right to “cavity search” mothers and daughters on the side of the freeway – all in the name of this failed war!

We, the taxpayers, are forced to pay for both sides of this failed policy – from enforcement to incarceration – as well as taking care of the families of those left behind. When is enough, enough?

There has to be a better way. Help us find it!

Rusty White
Bridgeport

4 Responses to “More casualties of the failed War on Drugs”

Many people, especially ignorant people, punish you for speaking the truth, for being correct, for being you. Never apologize for being correct, or for being years ahead of your time. If you are right and you know it, speak your mind. Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is still the truth.” – Gandhi

While it may one day be true “this” event has nothing to do with drugs. Just because there has been arrest you claim it is all over and done? I’ll wait for a verdict from a jury, you on the other hand can do as you wish. The truth is still the truth, fact! The documented abuse of citizens is on RECORD! The ever growing “millions” of second class citizens is a fact as well, is it not?

Here is another clue for ya, it is not just about legalizing drugs, some how you failed to tell the truth about our real mission, why? You never speak of regulation, or ending the control of the bad guys, why? You never talk about ending the harm being done to our citizens, why? You never speak about stopping the violence and killing being forced on our citizens by “BOTH” sides all in the name of this failed war on drugs, why? Did you even have the honesty to go to drugwarvictims by drugwarant, where the truth is documented???

You would do yourself and others justice by “knowing” what I and leap is really about instead of speaking without even bothering to educate yourself with the truth.

Maybe if you had the honesty you would know the folowing about LEAP and our mission?

Vision Statement
LEAP envisions a world in which drug policies work for the benefit of society and keep our communities safer. A system of legalization and regulation will end the violence, better protect human rights, safeguard our children, reduce crime and disease, treat drug abusers as patients, reduce addiction, use tax dollars more efficiently, and restore the public’s respect and trust in law enforcement.

Mission Statement
The mission of LEAP is to reduce the multitude of harmful consequences resulting from fighting the war on drugs and to lessen the incidence of death, disease, crime, and addiction by ending drug prohibition.

LEAP’s goals are: (1) To educate the public, the media and policy makers about the failure of current drug policy by presenting a true picture of the history, causes and effects of drug use and the elevated crime rates more properly related to drug prohibition than to drug pharmacology and (2) To restore the public’s respect for police, which has been greatly diminished by law enforcements involvement in imposing drug prohibition.

LEAP’s main strategy for accomplishing these goals is to create a constantly growing speakers bureau staffed with knowledgeable and articulate current and former drug-warriors who describe the impact of current drug policies on: police/community relations; the safety of law enforcement officers and suspects; police corruption and misconduct; and the excessive financial and human costs associated with current drug policies.

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